Monday, February 02, 2009

Maryland State Benefits for Same-Sex Couples

All right -- this is overdue, but it's a fine step forward. From The Gazette:

Gov. Martin O'Malley has submitted regulations that would extend health benefits to state employees in same-sex relationships, an O'Malley spokesman said Monday.

The couples' dependent children would also be covered, said the spokesman, Shaun Adamec.

The regulations have been submitted to the Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review Committee, a panel comprising 10 senators and 10 delegates. It reviews state regulations with regard to the legislative prerogative and procedural due process.

"It's consistent with the governor's goal to extend affordable health care to more Marylanders," Adamec said. "And it is consistent with what a number of Maryland counties and private companies already do." O'Malley offers same-sex couples health benefits

This is fine for state employees, but what about people who work in private industry? C'mon, let's get fair coverage for everybody.

Adamec said the state estimates the extension of benefits would cost between $1 million and $3 million. Seventy-five to 300 people are expected to take advantage with the change, he said.

The change was announced at a rally of hundreds of people conducted by Equality Maryland, a gay rights advocacy group.

There are also many stay-at-home fathers in BOTH straight and gay relationships. Is it wrong for a man to stay at home and take care of his children? I don´t think so. Of course, you are also quite sexist so, in your strange mind, that would be wrong (but it isn´t!!).

The fathers are fine too, Derrick. If the wife works, the Dad should be encouraged to stay home and manage the children's affairs. That's good for society.

It's the fat gay guys with the Cheetos and the all-day TV that should get out and earn their insurance. We shouldn't have to support that with our tax dollars! The state of Maryland is angling for bailout money. They should cut stuff like this out first.

At one point, I could earn .42 an hour (accounting for expenses, daycare, etc.) to work away from home while my first son was small. I chose to do this because I felt his care was improved at a daycare instead of with me (not a home-body). I needed to work for my own sanity as well. It is not relevant whether I am male or female, had a partner (other than that fact allowed me the choice at all), or was heavier than medically recommended for my height/age/gender.

When later, I no longer had a choice, I paid 52% of my take-home pay to daycare one summer in order to maintain medical insurance for myself and 2 young sons by working. I refused to declare bankruptcy and fought for 4 years to obtain credit when my most serious faults were having paid ALL debts of myself and my former spouse and being divorced. My weight (heavy or light) still has nothing to do with it.

Even the brief time I spent in the "lap of luxury" at home with my first child... I saw less TV and may even have lowered my weight through the daily gyrations necessary to raise children... To be honest, it was easier to WORK!

Get a clue and don't fault anyone who has the love and patience to take care of a home for a child or children by ridiculing them and calling them names. "Fat" is not a bad word...merely a state of being. Generalizations should be a 4-letter word.

Kids can use a stay-at-home parent. Any parent willing to do that should be supported by our society.

If you believe what you said, "any parent willing to [stay home] should be supported," then, barryo, why did you say:

But who wants to encourage some fat gay guy sitting home eating Cheetos and watching TV all day and getting free health insurance on the public dole?

What if the fat guy is the one home with the kids? He deserves to be supported.

One thing I've noticed is a strong antipathy toward children in the gay community.

Which gay community did you hang out in and notice that? Gays are parents with children to raise just like straight people. There are same sex couples raising children right here in Montgomery County. The stay-at-home-parent should be supported.